Age often marks life stages.

It shapes roles in family and work — influences anything from personal development and maturity, to capability and belonging.

Tucson Rabbi and Cantor Baruch J. Cohon will mark a milestone birthday April 28, turning 100. His century of life has been defined by a blend of spiritual leadership and artistic achievement.

“It’s hard to summarize a century of life,” said Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon of Congregation Beit Simcha, his son. “He’s lived quite a life.”

Over nearly 100 years, Rabbi Baruch has held a wide range of roles, including service as a Navy sonarman during World War II — a position responsible for operating underwater sound detection equipment to locate enemy submarines.

After graduating high school in 1943, Rabbi Baruch joined the Navy at age 17, eager to serve in World War II.

According to his son, Rabbi Baruch had hoped to fight in Europe but was instead stationed in the Aleutian Islands, where he served as a sonarman and completed 49 missions cutting Japanese mines.

“They made him a sonarman because he had good ears,” Rabbi Samuel said. “His job was to listen for Japanese submarines and service vessels while they went out and cut mines on a wooden minesweeper.”

In the 1950s and 1960s, Rabbi Baruch worked as a television producer.

According to his son, he was a producer, writer and editor on several shows, including “Sea Hunt” and “The Cisco Kid,” producing the final season of the latter.

Rabbi Baurch also built a career as a composer, recording artist and concert performer. He became a trained cantor at age 12 in New York and later organized concerts and ran a bureau focused on Jewish music. He composed a cantata, “Let There Be Light,” which was performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

He also taught actor Gene Wilder how to chant like a traditional rabbi for the film “The Frisco Kid.”

“If you’re frustrated seeing people not learning, it’s really tricky to maintain a positive relationship while helping them,” Rabbi Samuel said. “Seeing him work with actors and showing respect to their intelligence and goodwill — that was really extraordinary.”

Rabbi Baruch lived in Los Angeles for most of his life, from 1947 to 2019. After his wife died, he moved to Tucson to live with his son, where he quickly became active in the community — helping teach classes, chanting Torah on Saturdays and reading the Haftarah nearly every week.

“My dad wasn’t getting enough stimulation, so he continued to help participants and assist with services for our congregation,” Rabbi Samuel said. “Sometimes he’s too tired, but at 99, that’s okay.”

Congregation Beit Simcha will host a celebration honoring Rabbi Baruch’s 100th birthday. The community is invited to attend the event at the congregation’s sanctuary.

“Rabbi Baruch’s life is a testament to the power of tradition, creativity and joy,” Rabbi Samuel said. “To celebrate 100 years of his music, his teaching and his spirit is an honor for our entire community.”

The celebration will include tributes highlighting his contributions to Jewish music, including his work as musical editor of the Jewish Song Book, as well as his decades of service as a spiritual leader in California and Arizona.

“It’s so neat because everybody’s got a different side of my dad,” Rabbi Samuel said. “He’s so multifaceted that everybody’s perspective is different, and it’s so rich.

“I don’t know how else to describe it. It’s so touching to hear people talk about what he’s meant to them — from people who have known him over many decades.”

The event will also feature refreshments and live music by the Jazzmatics, along with performances of Rabbi Baruch’s compositions by his son, soloist Lindsey O’Shea and Beit Simcha musicians.

“Some of these people have grown up with my dad’s music,” Rabbi Samuel said. “It’s really good, and people like to sing it — you can’t say that about everything written 60 to 70 years ago.”

According to his son, Rabbi Baruch’s life demonstrates that aging does not limit purpose as the community will honor his 100th birthday.

“He makes age seem like just another part of life where you experience it fully,” Rabbi Samuel said. “I can’t think of a better or more inspirational way to approach aging and life.” 

100th Birthday Celebration for Rabbi and Cantor Baruch J. Cohon
WHEN:  Sunday, April 26, 2026 | 2:00 p.m.– 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Church of the Apostles, 12111 N. La Cholla Boulevard
COST: Admission is free, encouraged to register
INFO: beitsimchatucson.org